Bill Knafel was an institution in Akron, Ohio. Knafel Pontiac showed its civic pride as a sponsor of local baseball, softball and bowling teams. It was, however, his sponsorship of drag racing that brought national acclaim. Bill Knafel first went drag racing in 1959 with a Pontiac Catalina station wagon. The first "Tin Indian" was a 1962 Catalina. His reputation grew as he won races. Bill Knafel Racing won more National and World Championships than any other Stock Class team.

This 1971 scene of the "Goodwill Used Cars" shows the lot filled with some of the best Pontiacs money could buy. The 1970 "Tin Indian" GTO Judge sits on the Transporter awaiting its fate after winning the 1970 AHRA Pro-Am with Norm Tanner driving.